High scores do not guarantee a place at university.
From the perspective of many generations of Vietnamese people, grades have long been seen not only as the result of an exam but also as a measure of effort, ability, and opportunities for the future.
A student achieving an 8 or 9 in their exam used to be the pride of their entire family. A perfect 10 was almost synonymous with exceptional achievement. However, recent university admissions seasons have revealed a different reality. Many candidates with total scores of 26.5, 27, or even 28 points are still anxiously waiting, unsure if they can get into the major or university they've pursued for years. It sounds paradoxical, but it's a very real story of education today.
The admissions landscape today is far more diverse and complex.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
The change lies not in the students' abilities, but in the admissions process and the level of competition within the system.
While previously, the results of a single exam almost entirely determined university admissions, the admissions landscape has become much more diverse and complex. Universities now employ multiple admission methods such as academic transcripts, aptitude tests, critical thinking assessments, combined admissions with international language certificates, direct admissions, and admissions based on high school graduation exam scores. Each method has its own advantages, but a common reality is that the number of places allocated specifically for candidates admitted based on high school graduation exam scores is no longer as large as before.
Simply put, the race is no longer on a single track. With doors opening in multiple directions, the competitive pressure increases in each direction. This explains why some students who previously achieved scores that almost guaranteed university admission now have to carefully consider their options and potential risks. Especially in fields highly valued for career opportunities such as economics , law, international trade, information technology, artificial intelligence, or medicine, the difference between those who pass and those who fail is sometimes only a few tenths of a point.
Of course, grades are still important, but they are no longer a guarantee of absolute peace of mind. What students need is not just to excel academically, but also to understand how the admissions process works, know how to choose the right strategy, and prepare multiple options for their future.
The worry called 0.25 point
The biggest difference sometimes lies in very small numbers.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
What's remarkable about each university admissions season isn't the huge differences, but often the very small ones. If you were to ask what causes thousands of families sleepless nights after the exam results are announced, the answer probably wouldn't be a difference of 5 or 10 points. The most haunting difference is often just 0.25 points.
A quarter of a point – a seemingly small number on the transcript – can actually be the fine line between passing and failing, between overwhelming joy and years of regret. Many candidates achieve very high scores, missing their dream major by just a few tenths of a point. That gap is so small that outsiders might think, "It's just a little bit short," but for those involved, it's a completely different story.
Having worked in education for many years, I've encountered quite a few such cases. One student shared with me that she was just 0.25 points short of getting into the Law program she had been pursuing since her early high school years.
I continued my studies in a different field, graduated on time, and secured a stable job. However, years later, when I recall that admissions season, what I remember most isn't what I studied or what I did afterward, but the feeling of standing before the door of my dreams only to watch it close because of a tiny gap.
That feeling of regret doesn't stem from failure, but from the sensation of being so close to achieving what one desires.
In reality, 0.25 points on the score sheet is not as insignificant as we might think. Behind that number could be months of studying, late-night learning sessions, and overcoming the fatigue and pressure of being a student. Sometimes, it's just remembering a formula correctly at the last minute, being calmer when faced with a difficult question, or simply not marking the wrong answer in the final seconds of the exam. These seemingly small details can make a decisive difference in a competition where thousands of candidates are vying for a limited number of places.
We need to make smart choices , balancing ambition and feasibility.
After the exam results were announced, many still thought the university admissions race was almost over. In reality, that's not entirely true. For many candidates, the most crucial stage begins at this point. Because scores only reflect the results of one exam, while the chances of admission depend heavily on how you choose your preferences. In other words, the 2026 admissions season is not only a competition of academic ability but also a test of composure, analytical skills, and strategic thinking for each candidate and their family.
Candidates need to know how to strike a balance between ambition and feasibility.
PHOTO: TUAN MINH
Having observed the admissions process for many years, I've noticed a rather interesting reality. Those with higher scores don't always achieve better admission results. Some students with very high scores register their preferences based on intuition, focusing only on a few highly competitive majors, ultimately putting them at a disadvantage.
Conversely, there are students whose scores aren't outstanding but who understand their own abilities very well, are well-versed in admissions information, and develop a sound application strategy, thus still managing to get into a learning environment that suits their desires. This shows that in modern admissions, self-understanding is sometimes just as important as striving to outperform others.
Making a smart choice first and foremost means facing reality. If your scores are in the highly competitive group, confidently pursue your preferred field of study. But if your scores are only close to the cutoff points of previous years, calmly assess all possibilities instead of betting on only one option.
A good application is not one filled solely with "dream" choices, but rather one that strikes a balance between aspiration and feasibility. It should include aspirations to pursue, safe choices, and contingency plans in case things don't go as expected.
What I always want to share with students is not to make one aspiration the entirety of their future. A good field of study can open up many opportunities, but no single field of study can determine a person's entire life.
The reality is that many successful people didn't follow the path they initially planned at age 18. Some studied one field but pursued a different career. Others started businesses in areas completely unrelated to their university degree. Some considered failing their first-choice university application a major setback, only to realize a few years later that it was just a minor turning point on their journey to success. Therefore, in the remaining days of the admissions season, the most important thing isn't to worry about the past, but to dedicate time to thoroughly researching future options.
Students should carefully read the admission plan, refer to the score distribution, consider the workforce needs of each profession, and most importantly, listen to themselves. Scores may lead you to one door, but the right choice is what determines how far you will go after stepping through that door.
And that is the most important lesson that every admissions season leaves for young people who are on the verge of adulthood.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/thap-thom-cho-diem-chuan-185260702135201117.htm
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